Pakistan seal semi-final berth after fourth consecutive win

Pakistan completed their fourth win of the T20 World Cup and became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals. With their last match scheduled against Scotland, they are also almost certain to top Group 2. Namibia, too, did no harm to their reputation, and held their own for a big part of the match. Eventually, the sheer quality of Pakistan ensured they won the match comfortably with good performance.

Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat, to prepare for such situations in the semi-finals. They went unchanged whereas Namibia made two alterations.

Ruben Trumpelmann started with a maiden against Mohammad Rizwan, beating him twice in the over. Rizwan and Babar, the Pakistan openers, took their time. They posted only 29 in their Powerplay, Babar scoring 21 of them. Their scoring rate improved post that as Babar played some brilliant shots, but they were still 59/0 in 10 overs.

The openers switched gear, scoring 30 in the next two overs. Babar reached his fifty, while Rizwan began to time his shots. Just when Babar looked set for a hundred, David Wiese had him caught at deep mid wicket for 70. Pakistan lost their first wicket on 113.

Jan Frylinck then got Fakhar Zaman (5), but Rizwan was set by then, and Mohammad Hafeez raced to a 16-ball 32 not out. The duo added an 67 in the last 4.2 overs as Rizwan remained unbeaten on 79 in 50 balls. He would later be named Player of the Match. Pakistan finished with 189/2.

Namibia started cautiously, just like Pakistan. Stephan Baard and Craig Williams added 47 for the second wicket, and Namibia stayed ahead of Pakistan after 10 overs. But the increasing asking rate did not lure them. Key contributions came from Wiese (43*), Williams (40), and Baard (29) as they finished on 144/5. Four Pakistani bowlers picked up a wicket apiece.

Brief scores: Pakistan 189/2 in 20 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 79; David Wiese 1-30) beat Namibia 144/5 in 20 overs (David Wiese 43*; Imad Wasim 1-13) by 45 runs. Player of the Match: Mohammad Rizwan.